DEEP PURPLE This AP4 Tactel 250 Cosy undersuit from the well-established manufacturer CBear is available in a range of colours including lime, yellow, red and pink, all with contrasting black and, of course, the tekkieÕs favourite, all-black. New this autumn is purple. Suitable for those who dive in the coldest waters, the AP4 has a thermal tog rating of 6.0. It has hip pockets, a two-way zipper, an external wind flap and lots of optional extra features, too. Sizes for both ladies and gents range from the petite to the obese. £180.

PADI HOLIDAYS The PADI Travel Network, claimed to be the leading dive travel wholesale tour operator in the USA, has been launched in the UK following a tie-up with online travel supplier OTC. Holiday packages, including diving provided by PADI member-operators, will be sold using an Internet-based reservations system linked to PADIÕs UK website. This will eventually give UK divers access to group and individual packages in more than 200 resorts and liveaboards, starting with Red Sea and Maldives packages.

PURRFECT BAHAMAS Aqua Cat is a 35m catamaran that departs from Nassau and cruises the waters of the Exuma Cays, in the Bahamas. She provides a luxurious and stable base for those who want to dive up to five times a day. Up to 22 passengers are accommodated in the luxury of fully equipped twin or double cabins with en suite facilities. Equipped with nitrox, video and E6 film-processing, she has three tenders, including the fast Sea Dog seen here alongside. Divers enjoy the dramatic walls, pretty corals, blue holes and shark dives of the Bahamas.

FAST HAIRCARE Ever wondered how to "wash that salt right outa your hair"? Speedo has introduced a product called Protek for Men which includes a "performance" shampoo and a performance hair and body wash, both in a choice of two fragrances called Freestyle and Sprint (£3.49 each). Added to this are moisturisers, deodorants and hair-styling wax and cream. Available just about anywhere.

DIVERSIFYING Suunto, the Finnish diving computer manufacturer, has launched a BC bearing its brand, the Equilite 1100W. This is a conventionally designed BC with integrated-weight pockets, combined with additional weight pockets at the back for altering the trim to suit when using an aluminium tank. Zipped pockets, three dump valves, six D-rings and an adjustable cummerbund with overstrap and sternum strap complete the deal. The maximum lift available in size M is 11kg. It is available in sizes S, M, L and XL for £295.

CUT, SHINE AND BLOW This little SL1 Survival Knife from Toologic combines a useful 75mm sawing and slicing blade, a compact waterproof super-bright LED light module that acts as an emergency torch, and a loud emergency whistle built into the handle. It's just what you need for those moments of high excitement that we all try to avoid when out in boats! It costs £35.

SHARKS UP CLOSE Desperate for a close encounter with one of the numerous sharks of Polynesia or Fiji? Dive Worldwide can help. Its Pacific Islands brochure might have the package you are seeking. The Seychelles more to your liking? Look at its Africa & the Indian Ocean brochure for something suitable. And if it's the Caribbean you want, Dive Worldwide claims to live up to its name, with more than 20 years of experience in arranging inclusive dive trips.

BUZZ WORD New travel cover for active holidaymakers includes scuba-divers alongside skiers and cyclists among potential clients. Direct travel insurance provider Primary Direct is offering sports enthusiasts the chance to win one of its Primary Active policies in a competition being run in a newsletter issued to health clubs and gyms. The newsletter is called Primary Buzz and a 10% discount can be obtained by quoting "buzz" as a reference while taking out a policy.

BRIGHT HOPES Two new underwater lights from Beaver use nickel metal hydride battery technology within their anodised aluminium bodies to provide any-time, any-state charging. The Astro Light (£149) gives a burntime of one hour with a 20w bulb, while the larger Platinum (£199) manages only 50 minutes but with an ultra-bright 50w bulb. Available complete with UK charger and EU adaptor, plus a choice of beam diameters supplied, these would seem to represent good value in the well-served underwater lamp market.

SINCLAIR'S LATEST The Seadoo Sea Scooter is the smallest, lightest and most efficient underwater propeller and costs less than half the price of its nearest competitor, or so says its manufacturer. Designed by Sir Clive Sinclair, its 12v battery-powered motor can pull a diver at 2mph for up to two hours - but only to a maximum depth of 10m. Aimed principally at swimmers and snorkellers, it's ideal for the elderly and physically challenged, but probably won't be used much by tekkies. It weighs only 5kg and costs £329.

FULL METAL The Apollo Bio-Metal mask is claimed by its distributor to be "simply the best". Super-wide clear vision is obtained by reducing the internal volume of the mask to an absolute minimum, and its strong slimline metal frame and lens retainers minimise the interruption to view. It is said to be exceptionally watertight because of a unique design to the flange of its silicone skirt. £85 from CJ Evans International, which also supplies Apollo fins.

STRIKE A LITE The Oceanic Shadow suit, reviewed recently in these pages, is one of those you can build up in layers to suit the prevailing temperatures. However, there are divers who want something less thermally protective. The Oceanic Shadow Lite suit is cut from 3mm thick titanium-lined neoprene as a simple wetsuit, with no seals at ankle or wrist. However, it comes in a large range of off-the-peg sizes (S-XXL), including those specifically cut for women. It features rubber knee-pads, ankle zips, and is closed by a zip over a comfort-flap at the back. £86 (shortie version £62).

GET THE PICTURE Three top British underwater photographers, Linda Dunk, Mark Walker and Tony White, have formed the Underwater Collective to sell a range of fine-art prints of underwater subjects. The award-winning trio believes that demand among divers for high-quality images can now be filled by modern digital printing techniques. Available as signed, limited editions, the prints will be shown at Dive 2002 at the NEC, and the group holds its first show in January at London's Stark Gallery in Lee Green.